What country family car should I buy?

Brendan needs a roomy, affordable family hauler that isn't caught short in the country

05 September 2014Cameron McGavin

Nissan's X-Trail is an affordable second-hand option for country families.

The dilemma

Brendan and his family have outgrown their Toyota Corolla. They want a used wagon or some other car with the boot space to handle their three large dogs, as well as being reasonably accommodating in the back. They live regionally, so something that can take rough gravel roads would be nice. Their budget is less than $15,000.

The shortlist

This seems like a job for a mid-sized or larger wagon, or possibly an SUV, all of which would deliver the practical gains Brendan is seeking.

Even at this end of the used market the wagon/SUV possibilities are almost endless. But in this scenario we wouldn't recommend one that was unyielding on the ride-quality front or too noisy on coarse-chip tarmac, or from a brand with patchy representation beyond the big smoke.

Nissan X-Trail

Given the humble spend, we'd probably want something that's good value and not too expensive on upkeep. And given it's a family hauler, we'd want to maximise what safety gear we could get for our limited funds.

2009-on Ford Mondeo wagon, from $7480*

Limp resale means this Ford is sharp used buying. We've seen sub-50,000km 2010 base LX petrols for this money, which is years newer than rivals like Mazda's 6, Subaru's Liberty or VW's Passat.

The Mondeo has a big back seat, huge boot and is safe, with curtain airbags and stability control fitted to all models. It handles adroitly, rides comfortably and ? while no temple of silence ? isn't wearing on the open road. Snagging some of Ford's seven-year/135,000km capped-price servicing regime is a possibility.

Nissan's X-Trail is an affordable second-hand option for country families.

You will, though, have to suffer a gloomy cabin ambience and the spectre of the small quality niggles. Its entry-level petrol engine is no standard-setter, making the thriftier, more driveable diesel preferable if you can handle its extra cost (or keys).

Like the Ford, this Holden combines vast space and strong value. In this price range, a low-kay, entry-level 2010 Series II Omega isn't a pipe dream.

It shadows the Mondeo in other ways, from its contemporary safety and adept handling to ? less positively ? its low-rent cabin ambience and tendency for small quality bugs.

It's a quieter, more comfortable on coarse rural tarmac and gravel, however, and its V6 petrol drivetrains are gutsier and more relaxed.

The downside of the latter is a higher thirst for fuel and there's no diesel out-clause. Its boot, while large, isn't quite as big and Holden's three-year/60,000km capped-priced servicing program is likely to be exhausted in this budget range.

There are plenty of SUVs around for this money. If your budget is closer to $10k you'll be forced into a realm where curtain bags and stability control aren't commonplace.

Closer to $15k, you can target fresher models that have this desirable equipment.

Honda's 2007-13 CR-V and Toyota's 2006-13 RAV4 are two such possibilities but we'd sooner target this Nissan, which flaunted the full-fat safety combo across the range, rather than on just select or later-year models.

It's sharper buying than its rivals, too, with low-kay 2010 base ST models up for grabs.

A big boot and plush rough-road ride are other X-Trail enticements. Its flexible, economical petrol drivetrain is complemented by a (costlier) diesel option, and gaining some of Nissan's six-year/120,000km capped-price servicing regime should be possible.

Just don't expect the biggest back seat or go-kart handling. While the hard-surfaced boot is easy to clean it's also slippery and scratchy ? best invest in a rubber-backed rug, then, if you want to keep canines the right way up.

Drive recommends

The Commodore may no longer be a darling of the city but it still has much to offer for those who live in more wide open, rougher roaded spaces. In this group, though, its inferior economy and capped-price servicing deficit mean it can't rise above the bronze-medal position.

Better performances in the key economy and servicing fields, as well as a bigger boot, put the Mondeo a step ahead of the Holden in this contest.

But not quite far enough ahead for it to threaten the X-Trail, which isn't as nice to drive or sprawling in the back as the Ford but has the more dog-friendly boot, better rough-road prospects and a petrol drivetrain that possibly hits the sweeter driveability/economy compromise.

* Values are estimates provided by Glass's Guide based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.

Green box - Strong safety credentials

Green box - Excellent value

Red box - Driving dynamics

Green box - Pet friendly

Green box - Strong safety credentials

Green box - Excellent value

Red box - Driving dynamics

Green box - Pet friendly

Green box - Strong safety credentials

Green box - Excellent value

Red box - Driving dynamics

Green box - Pet friendly

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